'''The Hobbit: The Prelude to [[The Lord of the Rings]]''' or simply '''The Hobbit''' is a video game published in [[2003]] by [[Vivendi]]. It is a platform game that features puzzles and fighting enemies in a similar manner to the Legend of Zelda series.

}}'''''The Hobbit: The Prelude to The Lord of the Rings''''' is a video game published in [[2003]] by [[Vivendi]] and [[Sierra Entertainment]]. It is a platform game set up around the events in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. It is the second interactive adaptation after [[Melbourne House]]'s [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|1982 version]].

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The game claims to be "the only game based on [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s classic tale", though this is untrue as an adventure game based on the The Hobbit was released in [[1982]].

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==Voice cast==

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==Synopsis==

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The game largely follows the plot of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' book, but makes several common "video game adaptations", such as added monsters, expanded "chapters" (levels), boss fights, and so on. Some of the more significant changes, however, include the absence of [[Beorn]] the shapeshifter until "The Clouds Burst" (or, the [[Battle of Five Armies]]). In "Riddles in the Dark", the player needs to fix various pieces of lift machinery to open a gate and free a dwarven prisoner. Also, instead of among the trees, the fight with the spiders occurs in a big "spider hall" with cliffs that the bigger spiders can't climb. The game also adds multiple characters, a full list is mentioned later in this article.

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Each level gives the player a series of quests, some of which may be optional to fulfil. For instance, one of the optional quests in the Unexpected Party level is to find four children in a game of hide and seek. An example of a required quest would be to save the dwarves from the [[spiders]].

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==Deviations from the book==

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* The game portrays [[Bard]] as already the captain of the town-guard. In the book he does not take command of the defence of Lake-town until the dragon comes. He also doesn't serve the [[Master of Lake-town]] until he escapes ashore after the destruction of [[Lake-town]]. But it would seem that the makers of the game wanted to make someone familiar give Bilbo important quests.

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* The runes in the Lonely Mountain are [[Angerthas Moria]], rather than [[Angerthas Erebor]]. The only time these are used is on the signs that say "You must walk through Erebor to get to its heart".

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== Chapters ==

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*'''Dreamworld''': During the dwarves' visit to [[Bag End]], Bilbo falls asleep and dreams he is at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Bilbo also has no health and is invincible in this level. (used to acquaint players with the basic controls and movement)

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*'''[[An Unexpected Party]]''': Bilbo is sent to the Green Dragon, but first he must collect provisions for Bombur and do different jobs for [[the Shire]] hobbits.

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*'''[[Roast Mutton]]''': Bilbo is sent to investigate a fire-light.

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*'''Troll-hole''': Bilbo must explore the troll cave and find the troll key.

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*'''[[Over Hill and Under Hill]]''': Bilbo ends up in a helter-skelter adventure trying to get back to the dwarves after an interesting fall.

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*'''[[Riddles in the Dark]]''': Bilbo is lost and must find his way through a now goblin infested dwarf mine, fix broken dwarf lifts, and rescue Balfor, a dwarf of the [[Iron Hills]].

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*'''[[Flies and Spiders]]''': Bilbo is lost and must find his way through a spider infested Mirkwood Forest (in which he has to fight hundreds of poisonous spiders). He also fights minions of the Wight lord. He must rescue the dwarves from being eaten by the three giant spiders.

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*'''[[Barrels Out of Bond]]''': Bilbo and the dwarves are not safe out of Mirkwood yet. The dwarves are captured by elves and Bilbo must find a way to rescue them as well as a way to escape, while avoiding being seen by elves. It is primarily sneaking with the ring, but there is some combat.

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*'''[[A Warm Welcome]]''': The dwarves and Bilbo escape to Lake-town, where they are highly welcomed. Bilbo performs numerous missions for the town guard which includes expelling a group of thieves and goblins from Lake-town.

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*'''[[Inside Information]]''': Bilbo must steal the golden cup of [[Thrór]] from [[Smaug]].

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*'''[[The Gathering of the Clouds]]''': Bilbo must find the [[Arkenstone]] for [[Thorin]]. He must also power the rooms of Erebor: he must get the canals working, repair the gears, and activate the forge so he can create the key that opens the treasury, which leads to the Arkenstone.

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*'''[[The Clouds Burst]]''': This level is The Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo must fight or sneak his way through the battle to deliver a message to Bard of Lake-town, saying that the goblins of [[Bolg]]'s army are coming at him from behind, as Bard is unaware of this. Bilbo also meets up with Corwin, and Lianna. Bilbo also meets Beorn and must help him.

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== Added Characters ==

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*Lianna: An [[elf]] of [[Thranduil]]'s Hall in Mirkwood, Bilbo must heal her in the Troll Cave. She eventually helps Bilbo escape from Thranduil's Hall.

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*Corwin: A sad, heartbroken woodsman from Laketown. Bilbo meets him, and he says he is the only survivor of an attack of the spiders on his camp. He helps Bilbo get through an immensely thick web.

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*Balfor: A dwarf of the Iron Hills who has been made a slave of the goblins. They force him to work the dwarf-built mining contraptions. Bilbo rescues him and Balfor tells him how to escape.

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==Cast==

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{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"

Line 44:

Line 22:

| [[Smaug]] || [[James Horan]]

| [[Smaug]] || [[James Horan]]

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| [[Thorin Oakenshield]] || [[Clive Revill]]

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| [[Thorin]] || [[Clive Revill]]

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| [[Gollum]] || [[Daran Norris]]

| [[Gollum]] || [[Daran Norris]]

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|}

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These six were the only actors whose roles were specified on the game's credits; all others were simply called "Additional voice talent". Some of these can be identified:

During the dwarves' visit to [[Bag End]], Bilbo falls asleep and dreams he is at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Bilbo has no health and is invincible in this level; this level is designed to get the player used to the controls.

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====An Unexpected Party====

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Bilbo is sent to the Green Dragon, but first he must collect provisions for [[Bombur]] and do different jobs for various Hobbits.

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====Roast Mutton====

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Bilbo is sent to investigate a fire-light. This stage introduces the first enemies: wolves, frog-like creatures and at last, [[William|Bill]], [[Tom]] and [[Bert]]. The last task involves sneaking past the Trolls.

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====Troll-hole====

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Bilbo must explore the troll cave and find the troll key, needed to open the cave. It is learned that the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] built many caves in the area (when it was still known as [[Rhudaur]]), and many of his minions still lurk there. He finds [[Lianna]], an Elf of Mirkwood, and a dagger, which he names [[Sting]].

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====Over Hill and Under Hill====

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After visiting [[Elrond]], [[Thorin and Company]] make for the [[Misty Mountains|Mountains]]. Bilbo is sent to find fire-wood, but ends up battling [[wolves]] and other weird creatures, and dodge stone-slinging [[Giants]].

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====Riddles in the Dark====

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After being caught by goblins, Bilbo is seperated from the rest of the Company. This level introdces [[Goblin-town]] as a Dwarf-mine, complete with lifts and a rollercoaster mine cart track. In this level, Bilbo meets [[Balfor]], a Dwarf of the [[Iron Hills]], and [[Ugslap]], the Goblin guard. The level ends with Bilbo finding the Ring.

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:''At this point, an animation starts, depicting the riddle game, followed by a story board telling of Bilbo's reuniting with the Dwarves. A second animation depicts the hiding in the trees and the rescue by the [[Eagles]]. The narrator then summarizes the story from the drop off at the edge of Mirkwood ([[Beorn]] is omitted at this stage) to the capture of the Dwarves by the spiders.''

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====Flies and Spiders====

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Bilbo is lost and must find his way through a spider infested Mirkwood (in which he has to fight many poisonous spiders, as well as "minions of the [[Necromancer]]"). He meets [[Corwin]], a man of Lake-town, whose camp was attacked. Bilbo can retrieve his brother's ring for him. After that, he must rescue the dwarves from being eaten by the three giant spiders Wrath, Wicked and Wild.

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====Barrels Out of Bond====

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Bilbo and the dwarves are not safe out of Mirkwood yet. The dwarves are captured by elves and Bilbo must find a way to rescue them as well as a way to escape, while avoiding being seen by elves. This level introduces the extensive use of the [[The One Ring|Ring]]. After entering the halls, Bilbo meets Lianna again, who will help him. Bilbo must find the Dwarves and herbs to drug [[Galion]], and battle the frog-like creatures and more spiders. From conversations Bilbo picks up when passing Elves the [[White Council]] is mentioned: they finally attacked [[Dol Guldur]].

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====A Warm Welcome====

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Bilbo manages to put the Dwarves in barrels, and escapes to [[Lake-town]]. In Lake-town, [[Bard]] and [[Calamar]], the [[Master of Lake-town]], recruit Bilbo for more burgling and spying. He must stop a crime syndicate of Lake-men and Orcs, who have stolen the [[Black Arrow]]. All Dwarves are scattered around Lake-town, and many of them appear for their first time here.

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====Inside Information====

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After leaving the Long Lake, Bilbo finds the [[Back Door|secret entrance]]. After nerveracking sneaking, Bilbo manages to steal the Cup of Thrór from right under [[Smaug]]'s nose. Smaug notices and is less than pleased, and Thorin sends Bilbo back to find the dragon's weak spot. After Bilbo shows off to "Smaug the Magnificent" and declares himself "Barrel-rider", Smaug confronts Bilbo, and heads off to Lake-town, where he meets his demise.

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With the Dragon gone, Bilbo must find several items - the [[Necklace of Girion]], the spears of [[Bladorthin]], the Ruby of [[Gróin]] and a golden serving dish. After that, he must bridge a chasm by flooding it.

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====The Gathering of the Clouds====

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In the Lonely Mountain, Thorin has only one task for Bilbo: finding the [[Arkenstone]]. Several [[Runes|rune]]-puzzles require solving before Bilbo has to go to the Treasury, the Forge, the Gear Room and the Water Room. Though there is an entrance to the Old Treasuries, Bilbo cannot go there because it stinks too much of Dragon. After creating a new key, Bilbo finds the Arkenstone. Picking it up ends the level.

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:''The narrator introduces the next problem: the Men and Elves. Bilbo sneaks off and gives the Arkenstone to Thranduil and Bard, and for that, he is cursed by Thorin. When [[Dáin Ironfoot]] arrives, all seems to end in battle. But a flash of lightning marks the return of Gandalf, who informs them of Goblins. ''

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====The Clouds Burst====

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This level is the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. Bilbo, who stands with Gandalf and Thranduil on [[Ravenhill]], volunteers to bring a message to Bard; he is about to be attacked in the rear. During his trip he must save Corwin, and on Lianna sends him to find Beorn. After a short rampage, Beorn is captured, and Bilbo must free him by kicking over several barrels. After freeing Beorn, the game is finished: Beorn kills Bolg, who sits on a giant warg on an inaccessible dias.

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:''After this, the narrator starts the epilogue. Lake-town is rebuilt, Bilbo gets a reward, and walks home with Beorn and Gandalf. Neither the auction of Bag End nor the visit of [[Balin]] are featured.''

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=== Original characters ===

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*[[Lianna]]: An [[Elves|elf]] of [[Thranduil]]'s Hall in Mirkwood, Bilbo must heal her in the Troll Cave. She eventually helps Bilbo escape from Thranduil's Hall.

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*[[Corwin]]: A sad, heartbroken woodsman from Laketown. Bilbo meets him, and he says he is the only survivor of an attack of the spiders on his camp. He helps Bilbo get through an immensely thick web.

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*[[Balfor]]: A dwarf of the Iron Hills who has been made a slave of the goblins. They force him to work the dwarf-built mining contraptions. Bilbo rescues him and Balfor tells him how to escape.

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*[[Ugslap]]: A Goblin who is the guard of Balfor. After doing some chores for him in the assumption that it will free Balfor, Ugslap betrays Bilbo, which leads to his untimely death.

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==See also==

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* [[:Category:Images from The Hobbit (2003)|Images from ''The Hobbit'']]

Synopsis

Levels

Dreamworld

During the dwarves' visit to Bag End, Bilbo falls asleep and dreams he is at the Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo has no health and is invincible in this level; this level is designed to get the player used to the controls.

An Unexpected Party

Bilbo is sent to the Green Dragon, but first he must collect provisions for Bombur and do different jobs for various Hobbits.

Roast Mutton

Bilbo is sent to investigate a fire-light. This stage introduces the first enemies: wolves, frog-like creatures and at last, Bill, Tom and Bert. The last task involves sneaking past the Trolls.

Troll-hole

Bilbo must explore the troll cave and find the troll key, needed to open the cave. It is learned that the Witch-king of Angmar built many caves in the area (when it was still known as Rhudaur), and many of his minions still lurk there. He finds Lianna, an Elf of Mirkwood, and a dagger, which he names Sting.

Over Hill and Under Hill

Riddles in the Dark

After being caught by goblins, Bilbo is seperated from the rest of the Company. This level introdces Goblin-town as a Dwarf-mine, complete with lifts and a rollercoaster mine cart track. In this level, Bilbo meets Balfor, a Dwarf of the Iron Hills, and Ugslap, the Goblin guard. The level ends with Bilbo finding the Ring.

At this point, an animation starts, depicting the riddle game, followed by a story board telling of Bilbo's reuniting with the Dwarves. A second animation depicts the hiding in the trees and the rescue by the Eagles. The narrator then summarizes the story from the drop off at the edge of Mirkwood (Beorn is omitted at this stage) to the capture of the Dwarves by the spiders.

Flies and Spiders

Bilbo is lost and must find his way through a spider infested Mirkwood (in which he has to fight many poisonous spiders, as well as "minions of the Necromancer"). He meets Corwin, a man of Lake-town, whose camp was attacked. Bilbo can retrieve his brother's ring for him. After that, he must rescue the dwarves from being eaten by the three giant spiders Wrath, Wicked and Wild.

Barrels Out of Bond

Bilbo and the dwarves are not safe out of Mirkwood yet. The dwarves are captured by elves and Bilbo must find a way to rescue them as well as a way to escape, while avoiding being seen by elves. This level introduces the extensive use of the Ring. After entering the halls, Bilbo meets Lianna again, who will help him. Bilbo must find the Dwarves and herbs to drug Galion, and battle the frog-like creatures and more spiders. From conversations Bilbo picks up when passing Elves the White Council is mentioned: they finally attacked Dol Guldur.

A Warm Welcome

Bilbo manages to put the Dwarves in barrels, and escapes to Lake-town. In Lake-town, Bard and Calamar, the Master of Lake-town, recruit Bilbo for more burgling and spying. He must stop a crime syndicate of Lake-men and Orcs, who have stolen the Black Arrow. All Dwarves are scattered around Lake-town, and many of them appear for their first time here.

Inside Information

After leaving the Long Lake, Bilbo finds the secret entrance. After nerveracking sneaking, Bilbo manages to steal the Cup of Thrór from right under Smaug's nose. Smaug notices and is less than pleased, and Thorin sends Bilbo back to find the dragon's weak spot. After Bilbo shows off to "Smaug the Magnificent" and declares himself "Barrel-rider", Smaug confronts Bilbo, and heads off to Lake-town, where he meets his demise.
With the Dragon gone, Bilbo must find several items - the Necklace of Girion, the spears of Bladorthin, the Ruby of Gróin and a golden serving dish. After that, he must bridge a chasm by flooding it.

The Gathering of the Clouds

In the Lonely Mountain, Thorin has only one task for Bilbo: finding the Arkenstone. Several rune-puzzles require solving before Bilbo has to go to the Treasury, the Forge, the Gear Room and the Water Room. Though there is an entrance to the Old Treasuries, Bilbo cannot go there because it stinks too much of Dragon. After creating a new key, Bilbo finds the Arkenstone. Picking it up ends the level.

The narrator introduces the next problem: the Men and Elves. Bilbo sneaks off and gives the Arkenstone to Thranduil and Bard, and for that, he is cursed by Thorin. When Dáin Ironfoot arrives, all seems to end in battle. But a flash of lightning marks the return of Gandalf, who informs them of Goblins.

The Clouds Burst

This level is the Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo, who stands with Gandalf and Thranduil on Ravenhill, volunteers to bring a message to Bard; he is about to be attacked in the rear. During his trip he must save Corwin, and on Lianna sends him to find Beorn. After a short rampage, Beorn is captured, and Bilbo must free him by kicking over several barrels. After freeing Beorn, the game is finished: Beorn kills Bolg, who sits on a giant warg on an inaccessible dias.

After this, the narrator starts the epilogue. Lake-town is rebuilt, Bilbo gets a reward, and walks home with Beorn and Gandalf. Neither the auction of Bag End nor the visit of Balin are featured.

Original characters

Lianna: An elf of Thranduil's Hall in Mirkwood, Bilbo must heal her in the Troll Cave. She eventually helps Bilbo escape from Thranduil's Hall.

Corwin: A sad, heartbroken woodsman from Laketown. Bilbo meets him, and he says he is the only survivor of an attack of the spiders on his camp. He helps Bilbo get through an immensely thick web.

Balfor: A dwarf of the Iron Hills who has been made a slave of the goblins. They force him to work the dwarf-built mining contraptions. Bilbo rescues him and Balfor tells him how to escape.

Ugslap: A Goblin who is the guard of Balfor. After doing some chores for him in the assumption that it will free Balfor, Ugslap betrays Bilbo, which leads to his untimely death.